Ultra-Orthodox Parties Demand Trust-Building Steps Before Government Formation
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Senior ultra-Orthodox figures have informed Gadi Eisenkot they require "trust-building steps" before a new government is sworn in, though they are not demanding an immediate conscription law. This comes amid sharp criticism from ultra-Orthodox parties towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom they accuse of not addressing their demands and creating an atmosphere within Likud that hinders partnership. The Knesset Speaker announced elections for his position will occur in one week, increasing pressure for coalition agreements.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ultra-Orthodox parties demand trust-building steps from Gadi Eisenkot before government formation.
- They are not insisting on advancing a conscription law at this preliminary stage.
- Senior ultra-Orthodox figures criticize Prime Minister Netanyahu for not meeting their demands.
- The ultra-Orthodox parties cite a difficult atmosphere within the Likud party.
- Knesset Speaker elections are scheduled for next week, raising coalition formation pressure.
The political system is accelerating efforts towards upcoming Knesset decisions, primarily the struggle over the next coalition's identity. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana announced that elections for the new Speaker will take place in exactly one week, intensifying pressure on all factions for swift agreements. Meanwhile, negotiations continue between representatives of the ultra-Orthodox parties and Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yisrael Beiteinu party. Senior ultra-Orthodox figures conveyed a clear message to Eisenkot that they demand "trust-building steps" even before a new government is sworn in, as a condition for advancing coalition talks. However, contrary to previous positions, the ultra-Orthodox parties now indicate they are not demanding the advancement of a conscription law at this preliminary stage, which could ease the path to reaching understandings.
Concurrently with this cautious approach toward Eisenkot, there has been a significant escalation in relations between the ultra-Orthodox factions and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Senior ultra-Orthodox figures sharply criticized Netanyahu and his associates' conduct, claiming they are not receiving responses to their demands. "Netanyahu is offering us nothing, he has no alternative for us," the sources stated in closed conversations. The ultra-Orthodox criticism also targets the atmosphere within the Likud party, which they allege hinders continued partnership. "You cannot blame us when your Knesset members are constantly attacking us," the ultra-Orthodox conveyed to the Prime Minister's circle, signaling a clear indication that the right-wing-ultra-Orthodox bloc faces a genuine challenge ahead of next week's decisive votes.
